ARTRAC Marks Army Day in Shimla with Enthusiastic Participation

Key Takeaways

ARTRAC celebrated the 77th Army Day with a public festival.
The event featured military displays, performances, and informational stalls.
Local visitors showed strong interest, especially in the AWWA Stall.
The government emphasized support for veterans and their families.
1,191 gallantry award winners were recognized in Himachal Pradesh.

Shimla, Jan 15 (NationPress) The Army Training Command (ARTRAC) commemorated the 77th Army Day on Wednesday by hosting a ‘Know Your Army’ festival at the Ridge, situated in the capital of Himachal Pradesh.

The celebration was officially launched by Maj Gen Vivek Venkatraman, Offg Chief of Staff, ARTRAC, alongside Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap and Superintendent of Police Sanjiv Gandhi.

The 'Know Your Army' festival aims to enhance public awareness and appreciation of the Indian Army's significant role and contributions.

This event is part of the festivities honoring the 77th Army Day, which celebrates the historic appointment of General K.M. Cariappa as the inaugural Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army on January 15, 1949.

The festival showcased numerous attractions, including a display of weapons and equipment, a medical camp, a selfie spot, and performances by the military band.

Additionally, various stalls were established to disseminate information regarding the Indian Army's duties, responsibilities, and its vital contributions to national security and development. Attendees were also entertained by military martial music performances, further enriching the event's atmosphere.

A significant number of visitors, both locals and tourists, participated in the festival, with women particularly interested in the AWWA Stall.

State Sainik Welfare Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil remarked on the essential role that the youth of the state play in the armed forces, emphasizing the government's commitment to supporting war veterans, disabled soldiers, ex-servicemen, their families, and active-duty soldiers. He made these comments during a meeting with Sainik Welfare Department officials and the Himachal Pradesh Ex-servicemen Corporation.

In reviewing the initiatives of the Sainik Welfare Department, the minister highlighted the pride in having 1,191 gallantry and distinguished award recipients in the small hilly state of Himachal Pradesh, noting that the government has allocated a substantial budget for their welfare under the Gallantry Award Winners scheme.

Furthermore, he announced that the government has increased the ex-gratia grant rates by 1.5 times and eliminated the income limit cap for eligibility concerning old age pensions.